By Merritt Carey Most of us have heard of pellet stoves before, but pellet boilers are a relatively new phenomenon here in United States. Pellet stoves are a secondary heating source, in contrast, pellet boilers fully replace existing heating systems. In much of Europe, pellet boilers are commonly used as a primary heating source. Over…
If you’re concerned about fluctuating energy prices and want to make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient, here are some resources to help you ease the impact on your wallet. HOME ENERGY LOANS Efficiency Maine offers low interest loans up to $25,000 for up to 20 years through its energy loan programs (with no closing…
An interview with Dana Fischer of Efficiency Maine Home heating can be expensive, regardless of the fuel your home uses. And increasing the efficiency of your home is the most cost effective investment you can make to reduce your home’s heating costs. We caught up with Dana Fischer of Efficiency Maine—an independent trust dedicated to…
You may be surprised to learn that indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than the air outside our homes and in some cases even more so. The primary sources of indoor air pollutants are building materials and finishes, household cleaners and furnishings. Did you know that houseplants can help improve your indoor…
By Heather Chandler Home is our respite; a place where we feel safe. So it may be surprising to learn that indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than the air outside our homes and in some cases even more so. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the average person…
Solar energy production has grown rapidly and exponentially over the last several years, providing residential and commercial buildings with a renewable, clean, and sustainable source of electricity. We caught up with Solaris owner Suzan Elichaa to learn more about the options available to Mainers who want to utilize this technology in their homes. SG: What…
With the air getting chillier and temperatures beginning to drop around Maine, it’s a perfect time to start thinking about your home heating options for the winter. We recently caught up with pellet boiler specialist Stefan Apse from reVision heat to learn more about replacing your existing boiler (that runs on fossil fuels) with a…
Augusta, ME — September 18, 2013 Efficiency Maine is rolling out a new suite of incentives to help Maine homeowners reduce heating costs and improve energy efficiency. Qualified homeowners can receive up to $1,500 toward the cost of qualifying energy upgrades to a home’s insulation or heating system. Homeowners may work with their contractor to develop…
Go beyond apples and pears in the fruited landscape By Lynn Ascrizzi People go to great lengths to beautify the landscape around their homes. But why not introduce plants that look beautiful and provide healthy, nutritious food? This is the credo of Tom Vigue of Kiwi Hill Farm in Sidney, Maine, an edible landscaper who…
Long used for cooling in warm climates, heat pumps are now one of the fastest growing technologies for ultra-efficient heating in cold climates. reVision heat’s Chris Kessler joins us to share more information about Air Source Heat Pumps — an efficient alternative for keeping your home comfortable in the summer and winter. SRG: What is a…